U.S. Dept. Education Investigates Sex Discrimination Allegations
STEPHENVILLE (CBSDFW.COM) - Kevin McCully says he and his family are pleased to hear the U.S. Department of Education's Office For Civil Rights in Dallas is investigating his allegations of sex discrimination involving student athletics at Stephenville High School.
"We are guardedly optimistic. We would hope that the Department of Education would look at the history of this school district. They have a very clear history of discrimination against girls," says McCully.
In its letter to McCully, the Department of Education Office For Civil Rights (OCR) says it's investigating accommodation of athletic interests and abilities of both male and female students; the scheduling of games and practice times; travel and per diem allowance; opportunity to receive coaching and assignment and compensation of coaches; provision of locker rooms, practice and competitive facilities; and publicity. The Department is also investigating whether the district is treating girls differently than boys in providing college scholarship assistance.
A Department of Education tells CBS 11 News, "We can confirm that OCR is currently investigating a Title IX complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of sex with respect to the district's athletics program."
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. McCully filed a complaint with the Department of Education this past January, five months after filing a separate federal civil lawsuit against the district involving similar allegations involving his two daughters' middle school.
In his original lawsuit, McCully said his girls had inferior practice schedules and uniforms -- and fewer opportunities to play competitively.
Stephenville ISD's Superintendent Darrell Floyd told me through a statement, "Based on his (McCully's) numerous complaints, we have made numerous changes, revisions, and accomodations... We feel that we have one of the strongest girls athletic and extracurricular programs around. One of the reasons for that is that we, unlike many other schools we compete against, have a "no-cut" policy... Every girl that comes out for athletics, gets to participate."
McCully says his girls love volleyball so much, that he built two sand courts for them on their property.
He knows how popular high school football is in Texas, but wants his girls to be on a level playing field. "The idea that one sport may be popular in a culture and that allows a public entity to trounce on the civil rights of half the kids in that building, I find that idea absurd."
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